Improvement in gar-couplings



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

`WILLIAM R. OOOVERT, OF LONDON, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,257, dated November 4, 1873 application tiled February 8, 1873.

:To all whom it may' concern:

. connects the two will vbe disengaged from the draft-bar when the pivoted block is raised, as hereinafter described.

Figure l is a top or plan view of two cars coupled according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section. of Fi g. l taken on the line a: x.

Siinilanlettcrs of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the draw-head, connected with the cars iu any suitable manner, consisting of a bedpiece, B, and vertical side pieces C O, with a vertical partition7 D, thus dividing the drawhead into two parts, E and F, one of which, E, contains a hinged coupling or latch block, G, which drops for coupling by its own gravity. The other part, F, contains the couplinghook H. This hook is confined by the pin I, which passes through the hinged block .I.- The blocks G and J are hinged to the draw-head by the horizontal rod K, which passes through the drawahead. L represents a slot in the couplingblock G. The forward end of this block is beveled, as is also the end of the hook. The latter is in the form of a door-catch, so that when the cars come together for coupling the hook raises the coupling-block and slides along under it until it enters the slot L. The block then drops over the hook, and securely couplesthe cars. It will thus be seen that the cars are self-coupling, neither life nor limb being endangered in that usually perilous operation. In order to somewhat relieve the strain on the hooks H, I employ the pins N as auxiliary coupling devices, the same passing through the hinged blocks G and said hooks, as shown. The pins are tapered or enlarged at the upper end, so that when the blocks G are elevated they will be raised also, thereby freeing the hooks Il. To uncouple from either side of the cars, I arrange a' horizontal rack-shaft, O, supported by the stands P I), which are attached to the sides of the draw-head. This shaft has a ratchet -wheel,

Q, on each end, with apawl,`l, attached to the stands'. S is an arm attached to the shaft. T is a chain or cord, which connects the arm S with the latch-block G. By turning this shaft about one-fourth of a revolution, the coupling or latch-block is raised with the pin N. There is a slot-inortise, U, in the couplinghook, which receives the pin N, and allows the necessary longitudinal play tothe cars.

I disclaim arrow-headed coupling-bars or hooks, also pivoted latch-blocks.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt The pivoted latclrblock G, pin N, and hook H, in combination with the chain T, arm S, shaft O, ratchet Q, and pawl vR, whereby the said block and pin may be raised together, and the hook thereby disengaged, as set forth.

, IVILLIAM R. OOOVERT.

Witnesses:

ROBERT MILLER, J Aeon LAMBERT. 

